Books to trigger children's interest
As children, few of us knew what our future career would be. Many adults have had more than one career path, changing direction every now and then until we found something that we liked and were good at.
For young and old alike, it's not possible to know if we are interested in something we don't know exists. One of the benefits of exploring nonfiction books with children is that those books open new worlds and new ideas.
When something clicks and an interest emerges in a particular subject, it can be the start of a lifelong passion that may even develop into a future career.
Today's reviewed books explore this idea in different ways. Ask your local librarian to help you find other books to fuel the budding interest your child may have. You never know where that effort might lead.
The following book is available at many public libraries.“Gorillas” by Seymour Simon, photographs various credits, Smithsonian/HarperCollins, 32 pages; read aloud: age 5 to 9; read yourself: age 8 and 9.This outstanding book provides young animal lovers with the latest and most important information about one of nature's most intelligent animals.Outstanding color photographs are coupled with engaging, informative text elucidating man's closest genetic relative — the gorilla. Learn about the different kinds of gorillas, how and where they live, groom, sleep, play and more.Fascinating in every regard, it's no wonder Seymour Simon has been hailed as “the dean of the (children's science book) field.”
Library: Prospect Community Library, 357 Main St., ProspectLibrary Director: Lou PocchiariChildren's Librarian: Jill HambleyChoices this week: “Purplicious” by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann; “Smash! Crash!” by Jon Scieszka; “The Cow That Went Oink” by Bernard Most
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.“The Skull in the Rock: How a Scientist, a Boy, and Google Earth Opened a New Window on Human Origins” by Lee Berger & Marc Aronson, National Geographic, 2012, 64 pages, $18.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 9 and older; read yourself: age 10 and older.For 17 years, professor Lee Berger had explored South Africa's Cradle of Humankind — the most studied and excavated fossil hunting ground on the planet.Like many great scientists who have searched for and found many important fossils of our ancient ancestors in the Cradle, Lee persisted in his search.When Google Earth was launched, Lee had an idea. Using this new tool, Lee would be able to view this familiar terrain from a completely new perspective.Lee's careful examination showed several new caves and possible fossil sites.In August, 2008, Lee and his 9-year-old son, Matthew, were hunting for fossils in the Cradle using the new map. Suddenly, young Matthew shouted that he had found a fossil. But this wasn't a typical fossil found in the Cradle; this find “opened a door two million years back in time.”An extraordinary book that makes clear that there are always new discoveries to be made, “The Skull in the Rock” is an adventure not to be missed.“The Story of Silk: From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves” written and photographed by Richard Sobol, Candlewick, 2012, 37 pages, $17.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 9 and 10; read yourself: age 10 and older.Silk has long been one of the world's most sought-after fabrics. But for those who think they know about silk, think again.This book explains things most of us would never know about silk, taking readers/listeners on a fascinating journey to Thailand where author/photographer Richard Sobol investigates just what it takes to create this luxurious textile, from the careful tending and feeding of silkworms all the way to the magnificent finished product.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at: www.greatestbooksforkids.com
